Biazon seeks Senate probe on MV Princess of the Stars tragedy

MANILA, Philippines - A senator on Monday filed a resolution urging the Senate Committee on Public Services and other appropriate committees to probe last Saturday’s capsizing of the MV Princess of the Stars near Romblon province due to Typhoon “Frank.” This, as two lawmakers called for the resignation of the officials of the government bodies responsible for allowing MV Princess of the Stars to sail despite the warnings on inclement weather. In his Senate Resolution 455, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said the inquiry must zero in on the liabilities of the Sulpicio Lines, owner of MV Princess of the Stars, as well as of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina). The senator said it must be clarified why the ill-fated vessel was still given clearance to leave the port of Manila last Friday when typhoon Signal 1 hovered in Metro Manila despite the fact that the sea lane to be traversed by the ship runs smack into the predicted path of the Signal No. 3 typhoon. Biazon also noted that Sulpicio Lines was involved in similar tragedies such as the sinking of M/V Doña Marilyn in 1988, the capsizing of M/V Princess of the Orient in 1998, and the M/V Princess of the World catching fire while at sea in 2005. “The determination of how to prevent similar incidents in the future involving sea disasters affects the people’s safety at sea,” the resolution said. Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said Marina officials led by its administrator, Vicente Suazo, should resign for implementing "defective" guidelines that allowed MV Princess of the Stars to sail despite the incoming typhoon. On the other hand, Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita batted for the resignation of PCG chief Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo for the same reason. “For reason of delicadeza alone, Vice Admiral Tamayo should resign because he cannot fend off blame by saying he merely followed Philippine maritime regulations,” Zialcita said. The Paranaque solon described Tamayo’s excuse that he allowed the sailing of the vessel because only signal No. 1 was up in Metro Manila as “flimsy.” - GMANews.TV